Between the Lines

            There are so many lines in life.  The line to get on a thrilling roller coaster, the line to get into a popular restaurant, the line to watch an exciting show or movie, the line at the DMV and may we never ever forget the painful lines that our women suffer through: restroom lines and corny pick-up lines;  I think we can agree that our women are very strong.  Anyhow, yes, there are so many lines in life and many times we find that they aren't even worth it in the end, but still we endure the pain of waiting because of the many others that choose to wait, implying a sense of worthwhile.
            I started this post because of an observation I made while attending Misfit The Conference 2014, an annual Christian conference held by Christ Tabernacle Church's youth ministry, MisfitNYC.  This past weekend, I noticed that our long line outside the venue in the middle of Manhattan became an attraction.  So many people approached the line and would ask what was the line for.  Also, the shoe game of people on line were pretty good;  I wouldn't be surprised if any sneakerheads approached the line with the fear of "never getting the memo" of a new release.  With all the different individuals that inquired of the line, came many different responses.  One woman approached me and asked, but when I answered her, "Oh okay. Ha!" she scoffed and walked off.  Then a young man, looking very disgruntled and upset, approached the line and asked and when he was told he began to yell into one of our cameras that were recording.  At first, from a distance we thought he was cursing us based on his angry demeanor, but leaning in a bit closer revealed that he was actually adamantly encouraging the movement.  He then stormed off screaming, "I LOVE MY JESUS! I LOVE MY JESUS! I LOVE MY JESUS!" until he was out of sight.  I only hope we made his day a bit better... actually, I'm sure Christ did.  Another man came around and asked a friend of mine about the line and she told him and then invited him onto the line, but "Oh hell no." he replied.  West 14th Street was not only the street the venue was located on, but was also a Big Bus Tour bus route for tourist groups.  One of these buses came to a stop via red light in front of the venue and the tour guide on the mic asked what was the line for and when told he began to scream over the mic, "YES! YES! THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT! HALLELUJAH!" as the bus drove off.
            So many reactions and takes to this huge line on West 14th street, rounding the corner on 7th avenue, it was all amazing.  From the scoffers to the encouragers, it was plain to see the desperate need of Christ in New York City.
            A thought rose to mind as all this occurred;  with all the fascinations of lines in this city, it wouldn't be hard to find yourself on a line at least once a day.  Whether you're waiting on line from shopping, waiting to buy a MetroCard, waiting to get into church, waiting on a flight or waiting to relieve yourself, we always find ourselves at the mercy of a line.  But what if you came across a line that seemed endless, full of people and you couldn't see where it led?  And when you asked someone on line about where it led, they replied "I don't know, but it's a once in a lifetime opportunity and I heard it was something good that we all want." Would you be tempted to get on the line?  Would it cross your mind that perhaps it could be worth the wait?  Well, this is how the things of the world work.  A criminal will never portray a life of crime as one that leads to pain, prison, death or even destruction;  they never tell you where that line leads, only that it is an opportunity that many seek out for self-gain and other vices to indulge in.  A businessman out to snag a deal will sell a dream to an uneducated person and never once tell them about the risk of the a bad investment.  A man that is only out for himself, will never tell you that being out for yourself will leave you all by yourself: alone.
            Thankfully with Jesus Christ, nothing concerning the paths of this life remain secret:

"The wages of the righteous is life, but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death."

–  Proverbs 10:16 (NIV)

            Jesus desires and implores us to choose life, a life everlasting well into eternity with Him.  An invitation of love and good.  He even tells us how to spot the two different pathways in this life.  Christ describes each way by the density of the line, the road to get there and the size of the gates they lead to:

"‘Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.’"

–  Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV) 

            Let our daily prayer be that we choose the narrow road in all of our doings and return to it with repentance, should we stray onto the broad way.  God bless you all.

With Love and Blessings,

Cease The Messenger